Spiral of violence continues in Aceh

BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): The cycle of violence in Aceh seems unending as witnesses and officials reported the death on Monday of at least another eight people in various locations in the province.

In the Babah Dua tourist resort in Lhoknga district, Aceh Besar regency, three bodies, all family members, were found dead with gunshot and stab wounds found all over their bodies, Ikhsan, a local Indonesian Red Cross official said.

The resort is located some 18 kilometers west of Banda Aceh.

Ikhsan identified the three as Ali Basyah, 65, his wife Nurmala, 53, and daughter Nuraida, 18.

The three were originally from Geurugok village in Dewantara district in North Aceh but had moved to Ajun district in Aceh Besar last year.

A relative of the 65-year-old man, Nurdin Yusuf said the three were taken from their home by unknown gunmen on Sunday.

The motive of the killing is unknown.

Meanwhile in West Aceh, at least five people were killed and 11 others injured in a fierce gunfight in front of a high school on Sunday.

The fatalities were identified as Tarmizi, 16, Azhar Iskandar, 18, Lukman, 18 -- all students at the state-run Krueng Sabe high school -- First Brig. Andreas Sigalingging and one other unidentified resident.

Of the 11 injured, three are in a critical condition.

Witnesses said the incident was sparked when a group of motorcyclists attacked two police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) personnel passing in front of the high school on Sunday.

The attackers made off with two guns belonging to the policemen.

Minutes later, dozens of Brimob personnel came to the high school and stormed into the school compound.

Witnesses, asking for anonymity, said they searched the students, undressed them and told them to lay down on the ground.

Dozens of other students and two deputy school principals were brought to the nearby Brimob post for questioning. Three of the students were killed during the arrest.

Several people, bus passengers on the Meulaboh-Banda Aceh public bus, who happened to pass the location at the time, also admitted to witnessing the torture of high school students when policemen stormed the school.

When asked to comment, Aceh police deputy spokesman Police Comr. Sudharsono confirmed the death of one Brimob personnel and other casualties but said: "GAM (the separatist Free Aceh Movement) attacked our officers in front of the school."

"And the dead students were probably hit by stray bullets," he told reporters.

Separately GAM spokesman for the West Aceh area Abu Chaidir confessed that his group was responsible for attacking Brimob officers in front of the high school.

"We attacked them but why did they (police) arrest school students and kill them? If they dare, they should chase GAM," he charged. (50/emf)